n forced upon him by
our marshal, which he put into his pocket, and then accompanied us to
the gate.

Now came this remarkable circumstance. When we got back to our
lodgings after being "churched," what should we find but a beautiful
nosegay of cut flowers in our drawing-room from old Gale, and every
morning came a similar token of his good-nature and admiration while
we were there, and the same whenever we went on that circuit.

One of our servants was kind enough to make me a set of robes exactly
like my lord's, which I used to wear in the Court of Crown Cases
Reserved and at high functions, such as the Queen's Birthday or
Chancellor's breakfast. In court I always appeared in mufti on
ordinary occasions--that is to say, I did not appear at all
ostentatiously, like some men, but sat quietly on my lord's robe close
to his chair.

I well remember one occasion while we were at Hereford, a very pompous
and extremely proper town, as all cathedral cities are; my lord and I
were robed for the reception of the High Sheriff (as he is called) and
his chaplain, who were presently coming with the great carriage to
take us to be churched before we charged the grand jury.

Hereford is a very stately place, and enjoys a very high opinion of
its own importance in the world. It is almost too respectable to admit
of the least frivolity in any circumstances. You always seemed to
be going to church at Hereford, or just coming out--the latter was
nicest--so that there was, in my time, a sedateness only to be
equalled by the hardness of a Brazil nut, which would ruin even my
teeth to crack. I don't know if that is a proper way in which to
describe a solid Herefordian; but if so, judge of the High Sheriff's
surprise, as well as that of the chaplain, when I walked by the side
of my lord into our drawing-room! I never saw a clergyman look so
glum! We were both in robes, as I observed, and my lord was so pleased
with my appearance that he held me up for the two dignitaries to
admire. But Hereford does not admire other people; they confine their
admirations within their own precincts.

On our way from the station to our lodgings, I ought to have said,
both these gentlemen were full of praises. Who would not admire a
Judge's companion?

Although Sheriff and chaplain were highly proper, the former could not
restrain a hearty laugh, while the latter tightened his lips with a
reproving smile. But then the chaplain, with a proper reverence fo